Is it I or is Jerome Bettis the most overrated player in the NFL? OK, well second most overrated with props to Mr. J. Seahorn. Let?s look at the Broken-down Bus over the season. Jerome has been on the sidelines eating his Chunky Soup and playing his Playstation II for most of the season. He only toted the ball for 666 (ahhhh! sign of the beast!) yards during the 2002 season on 187 (ahhhh! Murder!) carries. During last weeks game vs. the Brownies (which resembled a playstation game) the Bus carried the ball once. On that miraculous carry he lost two yards. <P>
Let me nip in the bud the response of ?It?s only one year?. The Bus has been in decline since his stellar 2000 season. The average life of a successful running back is what 3-5 years max? There are exceptions and the Bus has been an exception he posted 6 straight 1000-yard seasons (averaging over 4 yards a carry) from ?96 to 2000, but today the past has caught up with him. This is Jerome?s 10th year in the Pro?s. Ten years of professional football plus he played major college football at Notre Dame, which in most cultures would be considered semi-pro. That is too much beating for a body to take. <P>
The only reason the Bus may return next year is Bill Cower. Bill is loyal to a fault with his players. Kordell Stewart should have been demoted to the CFL years ago. <P>
Today, the Bus is nothing more than a glorified 3rd down back that is injury prone. His knee has been injured, his groin, his nose, his knee again; how can a big bruising back be this brittle and still be successful? He can be this brittle in retirement. The Bus is done. Final Stop.<P>
Let me nip in the bud the response of ?It?s only one year?. The Bus has been in decline since his stellar 2000 season. The average life of a successful running back is what 3-5 years max? There are exceptions and the Bus has been an exception he posted 6 straight 1000-yard seasons (averaging over 4 yards a carry) from ?96 to 2000, but today the past has caught up with him. This is Jerome?s 10th year in the Pro?s. Ten years of professional football plus he played major college football at Notre Dame, which in most cultures would be considered semi-pro. That is too much beating for a body to take. <P>
The only reason the Bus may return next year is Bill Cower. Bill is loyal to a fault with his players. Kordell Stewart should have been demoted to the CFL years ago. <P>
Today, the Bus is nothing more than a glorified 3rd down back that is injury prone. His knee has been injured, his groin, his nose, his knee again; how can a big bruising back be this brittle and still be successful? He can be this brittle in retirement. The Bus is done. Final Stop.<P>
